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Newsletter: February 2024
Welcome to the latest edition of the Exeter Food Research Network newsletter.
Have you recently published work on a food-related theme, completed a project, or been awarded a grant? Are you planning an event that colleagues should know about, or have you heard of such events elsewhere? Are you aware of opportunities or resources that might be of interest to other network members? Please email Exeter Food.
Contents:
NEWS | EVENTS | OPPORTUNITIES | RESOURCES
NEWS
Interview: Dr Rebecca Sandover discusses poverty and malnutrition on LBC Radio
Dr Rebecca Sandover recently took to the airwaves on LBC Radio to shed light on the alarming correlation between poverty and malnutrition. Drawing from her extensive engagement and research with regional partners, and the corresponding work published in The Devon Food Insecurity Hub report last year, Rebecca highlighted crucial insights into this pressing issue.
Her comments from the discussion have been featured in an insightful article by LBC, emphasizing the shocking rise in Victorian-era diseases amidst contemporary socio-economic challenges. Dive deeper into the discussion and explore Rebecca's invaluable contributions by visiting the article here.
Rebecca's ongoing dedication to unravelling the complexities of food insecurity, as exemplified in The Devon Food Insecurity Hub report last year, continues to drive impactful change. Dr Sandover is a Lecturer in Human Geography at the University of Exeter and a member of The Devon Food Partnership Steering Group.
Introducing a new Online Resource hub for farming's 'accidental counsellors'
The University of Exeter and the Farming Health Hub (part of the ImagineIf Partnership) are thrilled to announce the launch of a website aimed at supporting professionals in the agricultural community who often find themselves in the role of "accidental counsellors." This resource hub is designed to empower individuals such as accountants, land agents, vets, feed suppliers, and farmers who play a key role in linking remote farming communities with health and well-being support services. The resource hub aims to help them feel more confident about promoting the well-being of clients or peers who are facing challenging times.
Developed through collaborative research efforts by the University of Exeter’s Centre for Rural Policy Research (CRPR), Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI), and the Farming Health Hub, this initiative aims to provide a range of guidance, contacts and information about relevant training to help people signpost farmers to the most appropriate source of support. A new LinkedIn Group has also been created in conjunction with the website, to provide a peer support space for accidental counsellors and prevent them from feeling alone. It offers a dedicated space where they can connect with each other, share concerns, queries and experiences with other people in similar situations.
For more information please contact Dr. Rebecca Wheeler, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Rural Policy Research (CRPR).
New summary report: Exploring university students’ ability to access and afford food during the cost of living crisis
Veronica White, a PhD student and member of Exeter Food, recently published a summary report of her MRes dissertation research. The findings of her qualitative research suggest that while financial factors are important, a range of additional factors across the personal, social, physical, and contextual environments also influence students’ ability to access and afford food. To better support students, universities should recognise this wide range of factors and ensure that interventions to address student food insecurity go beyond financial measures. The summary report is available to download here.
Major new interdisciplinary study will track impact of cultured meat on society
Law, sociology and biochemical engineering experts have joined forces to assess the risks and impact of cultured meat, a novel alternative animal protein, as part of a major new interdisciplinary study funded by the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society with support from the Leverhulme Trust. Dr Mariela de Amstalden, senior lecturer in law and technology at the University of Exeter is part of the research team on this exciting project. Read more about it here.
EVENTS
Commercialisation of agri-tech: focus of South West showcase
Food security is cited as one of the biggest challenges facing the UK with agri-tech recognised as a major component in the development of a secure and sustainable food supply chain. Responding to this critical need, this year’s AgriTech Showcase, held at Westpoint Arena in Exeter on 21 March, will focus on the commercialisation and adoption of new, innovative and impactful agri-tech
As well as thought-provoking discussions, the showcase will also demonstrate what is trendsetting in the agricultural technology world and assist farmers in seeing its commercial value. Attendees can also look forward to learning about sustainable farming practices, finance, and productivity. The day will explore different sectors of the industry including livestock, arable and dairy. Alongside this, there will be ample opportunity to network in the Market Place.
For more information, please visit their press release site. Tickets are £12 and can be purchased through this Eventbrite link.
Centre for Rural Policy Research (CRPR) seminar
Wednesday 13th March 13:45 to 15:15, Byrne House Boardroom or via TEAMS
Dr James Fisher, lecturer in early modern history at the University of Exeter will be giving a seminar on the subject of his 2022 book The Enclosure of Knowledge: Books, power and agrarian capitalism in Britain 1660-1800
Event information can be found here
CRPR Early career researchers and PhD showcase symposium
Wednesday May 1st 09:00-17:00, Constantine Leventis Teaching Room / Building One
The Centre for Rural Policy Research is organising a symposium to present the work of its PhD and other early career researchers (ECR) to the broader university community. The research conducted in the CRPR is wide-ranging, with many actual and potential linkages to researchers elsewhere in the University of Exeter, for example farming and the environment, human-animal interactions, labour in the food-chain and mental health.
The aim of the symposium is to provide researchers with constructive feedback on their work and to facilitate future collaboration with colleagues elsewhere in the institution. The symposium will be a one-day hybrid event aimed at encouraging debate, conversation, and input for ECR and PhD researchers and colleagues connected to CRPR and across the university research community.
For catering purposes please email crpr@exeter.co.uk to confirm if you plan to attend in person.
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London Food Forum online seminar series
Via Zoom Meeting ID: 996 9845 3289 Passcode: n1ahAxXCrh
Friday 8th March 13:15-14:45
Dr Shuang Gao (University of Liverpool) -“Language, food and identity: A linguistic ethnography of Chinese restaurants in the UK”
OPPORTUNITIES
Exeter Food is keen to support members in the development of research proposals. If you have an idea that you would like to explore in a “sandpit” with colleagues and potential partners, or a draft proposal on which you would like feedback from colleagues, please contact the network lead, Harry G West.
Greenscent innovation challenge 'Farm to Fork' opportunity
Closing date: 17th March 2024
Greenscent is looking for new ideas and solutions on how food is farmed, produced, distributed, and enjoyed across Europe for a more sustainable food supply chain, healthier consumption, and reduced food waste.
Benefits for the selected participants include: a paid trip to Brussels, covering travel, catering, and hotel expenses; receiving mentorship for project development, being considered for internship opportunities and networking with industry executives.
To participate you need to click on 'participate' and create an account from this link and create a new or join an existing team on the platform by 17th March 2024.
After that, the most compelling ideas will be selected. Greenscent will support the students in developing their projects and will be invited to pitch their ideas to a jury of executives at a final event in Brussels.
Lighthouse doctoral scholarship programme
The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences "Lighthouse" programme is designed to foster collaborative PhD studentships in partnership with industry and is part of wider efforts at the university to strengthen connections with business.
Lighthouse plans to establish 25-50 collaborative industry-focused PhD studentships, aligned with both company and faculty research priorities. The goal is to create an ongoing framework for industry engagement, attract high-quality project proposals benefiting partners and the University of Exeter, produce skilled PhD graduates with a deep understanding of industry needs, and enhance research impact by translating findings into innovations through partnerships with companies.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis. For more information, please contact the Industrial Studentships Manager.
Call: Diet and Health Innovation: Early Stage Feasibility Projects
Closing date: 8 May 2024
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2.5 million for early-stage feasibility projects working with one or more of the Diet and Health Open Innovation Research Club (OIRC) hubs. This funding is from BBSRC and Innovate UK. Funder: IUK and BBSRC
The aim of this competition is to support UK registered businesses and UK research organisations in the design and development of innovative food products to support sustained health and wellbeing. Projects can be focussed across the life course and are not restricted to older populations.
Start date: Oct 2024 – End date: March 2026 (18 Months)
More information can be found here
Policy @Exeter Development Programme
Closing date: 1st March 2024
Whether you are looking to develop policy impact from a current project or to establish yourself as a go-to expert more broadly, the Policy@Exeter Development Programme provides opportunities for capacity building, support, networking and skills improvement to academics from all disciplines and at all career stages working on relevant policy areas.
The Development Programme will run over two parallel pathways. All scheduled events will take place online over 9 weeks between mid-April and mid-June. Each pathway includes: workshops, masterclasses and information sessions relevant to where you are in your policy engagement journey (average time commitment of 2-3 hours/week), 1:1 support with Policy@Exeter's Policy Engagement Manager, networking with colleagues across different disciplines and career levels and promotion of your impact work through our website and social media.
How to apply? You must apply by filling in the Application Form by 5pm on Friday 1st March. Applications will be assessed based on previous experience, project stage and policy relevance.
Strengthening the resilience of the UK food system - UKRI ESRC funding opportunity
Closing date: 19th March 2024
Applications are open for funding to strengthen the resilience of the UK food system. The objectives of this funding opportunity are to support interdisciplinary research and innovation which will:
- improve the resilience of the UK food system to cascading risks and systemic shocks
- develop interventions to increase the resilience of the UK food system. This can include measures focused on robustness and recovery (such as, a food system actors ability to resist and quickly recover from a shock), but we would strongly encourage measures focused on reorientation (such as, where food system actors adapt their activities leading to alternative food system outcomes, either before or after disruption. For more information, please refer to the ‘Additional information’ section
- inform policy and practice by working with stakeholders (government, business and the third sector) on interventions
- increase interdisciplinary research capability and capacity in resilient UK food systems
Projects should be interdisciplinary and must include collaboration with at least one stakeholder organisation (government, business and the third sector). For more information and to apply, please visit the UKRI website.
Volunteer recruitment for a Cardiovascular and Gut Microbiome Study
The GAIN ONE study aims to answer whether prebiotic fibre and nitrate can improve blood vessel and gut health. The team are looking for research volunteers who are aged 45-74, are non-smokers and are not taking blood pressure medication.
Involvement will include screening and experimental visits, upper arm ultrasound scans, taking supplements at home, faecal, blood and saliva samples and completing questionnaires. An inconvenience allowance and a report on study findings will be provided upon study completion. Please contact Jessica jv326@exeter.ac.uk if you are interested or would like to find out more.
RESOURCES
Recordings and resources from recent Exeter Food Network events
Exeter Food Network continues to host a wide range of interesting seminars, talks and events. If you missed the live events, don’t worry – recordings and resources are available for Exeter Food members from the Exeter Food members area, Please email researchnetworks@exeter.ac.uk if you have any problems accessing them.
Exeter Food January Pechakucha recording now available
Exeter Food members can now access the recording of the latest Pechakucha Seminar (which took place on 25th January) on the network’s SharePoint. The session featured the following presentations:
Julian Garay-Vazquez Tropical Archaeobotanist (Post Doctoral Research Associate of the LastJourney Project) in the Archaeology department: The Archaeobotany of culinary traditions and indigenous meal preparations of precolonial Borikén (Puerto Rico)
Luciana Torquati Senior Lecturer in Nutrition. Department of Public Health and Sports Sciences, HLS: Food for gut: why feeding our gut microbiome matters?
Steve Emery Senior Lecturer in the Sociology of Agriculture: The culture of cooperation among British farmers
Rebecca Sandover Lecturer in Human Geography: Acting for Food change -Undertaking Participatory Action with the Food Movement
Exeter Food Colloquium - The importance of science-industry collaboration in changing the way we eat – recording now available
The colloquium took place on 2nd February and explored collaboration between university researchers and food industry leaders, focusing on the successful partnership with Quorn. Exeter Food members can now access the recording of colloquium on the network’s SharePoint.
What’s YOUR idea?
The Ideas Hub is a resource from Exeter Innovation for anyone developing (or considering) external engagement, particularly with business. The Hub is an information resource to support the application of research outside of academia. If you have an idea to work with business that you’re interested in developing please contact them or you can register your idea via the Ideas Log to receive personal support, or visit their website www.exeter.ac.uk/ideas-hub.Training and idea development workshops will follow later this year.
Exeter Food is coordinated by Professor Harry West
Please email us to submit items for future newsletters by the last Friday of each month. To find out more about our work, please get in touch with us.
